10 Reasons Why Québec City is the Best Christmas Destination

Inside the Old City walls is a picture-perfect setting unique in North America; a little like walking into a magical kingdom. And Old Québec’s narrow cobblestone streets and historic churches and buildings are even more enchanting covered in snow. It literally feels like you’re in a Christmas card!

Me and my wife spent Christmas and New Year in Québec City, absolutely loved it , snow on Christmas Day so magical , dinner at Conti was absolutely outstanding, fantastic wine selection and the atmosphere was relaxing and romantic. Québec City we will be back very soon.

- David, United Kingdom

Québec City gets a good amount of the white stuff in winter, starting in December. It’s warmer at the start of the season, making it easy to enjoy a beautiful stroll through Old Québec as it sparkles and gleams in the snow. A cup of hot chocolate by the fire makes for a nice cozy break. For those who have always dreamed of a white Christmas, there’s no better place!

Anyone who loves Christmas will have their fill with all the decorations in the city’s historic neighbourhoods. The giant Christmas tree in Place Royale and the magnificent decorations all along Rue Petit-Champlain make the Petit-Champlain District utterly enchanting.

Starting in late November, Old Québec comes alive with the city’s German Christmas Market. The streets are filled with music and lights and the sweet smell of hot cinnamon wine every weekend until Christmas. The quaint wooden stalls are the perfect place to pick up a local gift, a German specialty, and all kinds of treats.

After the Christmas market (which ends on December 23), the wooden stalls are the place for food and culture with Kaleidoscopes, a dazzling multidisciplinary event that runs in Old Québec from December 27 to 31.

Grande Allée is a great place to ring in the New Year. Known for its nightlife, the whole street becomes a music venue from December 29 to 31, with everything from folk songs to DJ sets, making it the ultimate place to party on New Year’s Eve.

In Québec City, we love to eat well in every season. When the temperature drops, it’s time for traditional meals like fondue, ragout, meat pies, and more. There are many restaurants with fireplaces too, which dials up the cozy factor. Get ready to enjoy fine local spirits and terroir fare, often with a maple twist.

The various winter activities are also make Québec City a great place to visit for Christmas, specially for families. Skating in the heart of Old Québec at the Place D’Youville skating rink or the skating oval on the Plains of Abraham is a bucket-list experience.

Hitting speeds of 70 km/h, the toboggan run at Dufferin Terrace offers a thrilling view of the city.

After all that excitement, we like to slip into the warm baths for a round of total relaxation at a Nordic spa, capped off with a dip in an icy pool for the full thermal experience.

Nature awaits, in all its splendour, just a short drive from Québec City. There are four ski hills in the region, along with a national park and multiple outdoor recreation centres. From cross-country skiing and downhill skiing and snowboarding to snow tubing, fatbiking, and snowshoeing, there are so many ways to have fun in the snow here! 

If you have any Christmas shopping to do, there’s no better place to do it than Québec City. With all the quaint streets, art and craft fairs, and local and independent stores like the ones in the Petit-Champlain District, it’s easy to find great gifts for all the special people in your life.

For our American friends, the exchange rate makes it easy on the wallet, too!

Québec City is known for its vibrant culture, and that’s especially true as Christmas rolls around. There are exhibitions, concerts, and dance and music shows galore this time of year. Make the most of it by delving into Québec’s artsy side and exploring the local music scene.